Unitary trunnion bracket

ABSTRACT

An axle assembly having a unitary trunnion bracket, an axle, and a support bracket. The unitary trunnion bracket may include an axle interface portion and a bracket interface portion. The bracket interface portion may extend from the axle interface portion. The axle may engage the axle interface portion. The support bracket may engage the bracket interface portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to an axle assembly and more particularly to aunitary trunnion bracket for an axle assembly.

BACKGROUND

An axle suspension system is disclosed U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,923.

SUMMARY

In at least one approach, an axle assembly is provided. The axleassembly may include a unitary trunnion bracket, an axle, and a supportbracket. The unitary trunnion bracket may have an arm interface portiondefining a bore disposed therein. The bore may have a first central axisextending therethrough. The unitary trunnion bracket may include an axleinterface portion having a second central axis extending substantiallyorthogonal to the first central axis. The unitary trunnion bracket mayinclude a bracket interface portion extending from the axle interfaceportion along a third central axis parallel to and offset from the firstcentral axis. The axle may engage the axle interface portion. Thesupport bracket may engage the bracket interface portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an axle suspension assembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the axle suspensionassembly.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the axlesuspension assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a unitary trunnion bracket.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a unitary trunnion bracket.

FIGS. 7-13 are front perspective views of additional examples of unitarytrunnion brackets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an example of a vehicle 10 is shown. The vehicle 10may be a motor vehicle that may be used to transport cargo. For example,the vehicle 10 may be configured as a truck and may include a tractor 12and/or a trailer 14. The tractor 12 may receive a driver and may propeland steer the vehicle 10. The trailer 14 may be coupled to the tractor12 and may be configured to receive cargo. For example, the trailer 14may be a flatbed trailer or an enclosed trailer. Other types of trailersare expressly contemplated.

The vehicle 10 may have an axle system 16. Although discussed hereinwith respect to the trailer 14, the axle system 16 may also or insteadbe provided on the tractor 12, or on any suitable vehicle.

The axle system 16 may include one or more axle suspension assemblies18. The axle suspension assemblies 18 may each be full-width orhalf-width axle suspension assemblies. Each axle suspension assembly maysupport multiple wheels. In at least one example, the trailer 14 hasforty wheels disposed across ten half-width axle suspension assemblies18 that may extend halfway across the width of the trailer 14. Forinstance, a pair of half-width axle suspension assemblies 18 may bealigned with each other and disposed in a row, with multiple rows beingarranged from the front to the back of the trailer 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, an example of an axle suspension assembly 18 isshown in more detail. The axle suspension assembly 18 may include ahanger 20 that may be fixedly mounted to an underside of the trailer 14.A trailing arm 22 may be secured to the hanger 20. For example, a firstend of the trailing arm 22 may be pivotally connected to the hanger 20.In at least one approach, a pivot pin may pivotally connect the trailingarm 22 to the hanger 20. As such, the trailing arm 22 may pivot aboutthe pivot pin and pivot with respect to the hanger 20. A second end ofthe trailing arm 22 disposed opposite the first end may define orreceive a bushing 24.

The axle suspension assembly 18 may further include a shock absorber 26that may be pivotally secured at an underside of the trailer 14. Theshock absorber 26 may be provided to dampen shock impulses and dissipatekinetic energy. A first end of the shock absorber 26 may be pivotallymounted to the underside of the trailer 14. The second end of the shockabsorber 26 may be pivotally mounted to the trailing arm 22.

The axle suspension assembly 18 may further include an axle assembly 28.The axle assembly 28 may include a trunnion bracket 30, an axle 32, anda support bracket 34. As discussed in greater detail below, the trunnionbracket 30 may be an integrally-formed, unitary trunnion bracket. Thetrunnion bracket 30 may be disposed adjacent to the second end of thetrailing arm 22 so as to be supported on the trailing arm 22. Forexample, the trunnion bracket 30 may be mounted to the bushing 24. Theaxle 32 and the support bracket 34 may be disposed on the trunnionbracket 30. For example, the axle 32 and the support bracket 34 may bemounted on and welded to the trunnion bracket 30.

The axle suspension assembly 18 may further include a brake assembly.The brake assembly may be a friction brake that may be configured toslow or inhibit rotation of at least one associated wheel. The brakeassembly may include a brake actuator 38, one or more spiders 40 fixedlysecured to the axle 32, a camshaft 42 rotatably supported in proximityto the axle 32 by the spiders 40, cams (e.g., S-cams) disposed on thecamshaft 42, slack adjusters 44, and other brake assembly components(e.g., brake drums or brake discs, brake pad assemblies, etc.). Thebrake actuator 38 may be of any suitable type, such as a pneumatic,hydraulic, electrical, or electromechanical brake chamber. In at leastone approach, the brake actuator 38 may be a dual brake chamber having aservice brake chamber and a parking brake chamber. A pneumatic orhydraulic brake actuator 38 may be actuated by a pressurized fluid andmay actuate the brake assembly, for example, by effecting rotation ofthe camshaft 42.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the support bracket 34 may be adapted tosupport one or more components of a brake assembly. For example, thebrake actuator 38 may be mounted on the support bracket 34.

The support bracket 34 may include an integrally-formed, unitary supportplate 36 that may be a single component. The unitary support plate mayhave a mounting portion 36 a, an intermediate portion 36 b, and anattachment portion 36 c.

The mounting portion 36 a may extend in a first plane. The brakeactuator 38 may be mounted to the mounting portion 36 a.

The intermediate portion 36 b may extend from the mounting portion 36 ato the attachment portion 36 c. The intermediate portion 36 b may bedisposed in a second plane that may be arranged at non-zero angle withrespect to the first plane in one or more configurations. For example,the intermediate portion 36 b may extend at an angle of about 45° withrespect to the mounting portion 36 a.

The attachment portion 36 c may extend from the intermediate portion 36b. In at least one approach, at least a first portion of the attachmentportion 36 c may extend in the second plane from the intermediateportion 36 b and a second portion of the attachment portion 36 c mayextend in a third plane at a non-zero angle with respect to the secondplane. For example, the second portion may extend at an angle of around30-45° with respect to the first portion. In at least one approach, thefirst plane and the third plane may be substantially parallel.

The second portion of the attachment portion 36 c may interface with theaxle 32. For example, the second portion may engage the axle 32 and maybe fixedly coupled to the axle 32 in any suitable manner, such as bywelding. In at least one approach, the intermediate portion 36 b mayhave a first width and the attachment portion 36 c may have second widththat may be greater than the first width. The increased width of theattachment portion 36 c may provide a greater area to secure the supportbracket 34 to the axle 32.

The trunnion bracket 30 may couple the axle 32 to the trailing arm 22.The trunnion bracket 30 may include an arm interface portion 50. The arminterface portion 50 may be in the form of a hollow cylinder. In thisway, the arm interface portion 50 may define a bore 52 extending withinthe hollow cylinder. In at least one approach, the bore 52 extendsthrough an entire length of the arm interface portion 50. In at leastanother approach, the bore 52 extends through less than an entire lengthof the arm interface portion 50. The bore 52 may be a cylindrical bore,and may define an inner diameter sized to interface with the trailingarm 22. For example, the bore 52 may be sized to receive the bushing 24of the trailing arm 22. As shown in FIG. 5, the bore may be disposedabout a first central axis 52 a.

The arm interface portion 50 may also have a curved exterior surface 54.The curved exterior surface 54 may be disposed opposite the bore 52 andmay be disposed opposite the axle interface portion 50.

The trunnion bracket 30 may further include an axle interface portion60. The axle interface portion 60 may generally form a portion of acylindrical shell, such as a half-cylindrical shell. The axle interfaceportion 60 may define a support surface 62. The support surface 62 mayhave a geometry corresponding to the exterior geometry of the axle 32.For example, the support surface 62 may define a generally roundedsupport surface having a radius of curvature generally corresponding toa radius of the axle 32. In this way, the axle interface portion 60 mayfunction as an axle wrap. The trunnion bracket 30 may engage and supportthe axle 32 along the support surface 62.

The trunnion bracket 30 may further include a bracket interface portion70. The bracket interface portion 70 may define a bracket supportsurface 72. The bracket support surface 72 may be generally flat and maybe sized to engage and support a portion of the support bracket 34.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the trunnion bracket 30 may define one ormore walls 80 that may be integrally formed with and may extend from theaxle interface portion 60 to the arm interface portion 50. The trunnionbracket 30 may also define at least one rib extending along an outsidesurface of a wall 80 from the arm interface portion 50 to or toward theaxle interface portion 60. For example, the trunnion bracket 30 mayinclude one or more forward ribs 82, one or more side ribs 84, one ormore rear ribs 86, or combinations thereof

Referring to FIG. 5, one or more forward ribs 82 may extend between thearm interface portion 50 and a forward side surface of the axleinterface portion 60. As shown in FIG. 5, the bracket interface portion70 may be disposed between the forward ribs 82.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, one or more side ribs 84 may extend from thearm interface portion 50 to a bottom exterior surface of the axleinterface portion 60 that may be disposed opposite the support surface62.

Referring to FIG. 6, one or more rear ribs 86 may extend from the arminterface portion 50 to a rear side surface of the axle interfaceportion 60.

Referring to FIG. 5, the axle interface portion 60 may define outeredges disposed about a perimeter of the support surface 62. For example,the support surface 62 may define opposing radial edges 64 having aradius of curvature generally corresponding to a radius of the axle 32.The support surface 62 may also define opposing longitudinal edges 66,68 generally extending in a direction parallel to a second central axis60 a of the axle interface portion 60 and along a longitudinal length ofthe axle interface portion 60. The second central axis 60 a may bedisposed above the first central axis 52 a and may extend substantiallyorthogonal to the first central axis 52 a

In at least one approach, the support surface 62 may define alongitudinal edge 68 having a varying height. The longitudinal edge 68may have opposing end regions 68 a and a reduced height region 68 bextending between the opposing end regions 68 a. For example, one orboth opposing end regions 68 a may extend to a height corresponding tothe height of longitudinal edge 66. In this way, the axle interfaceportion 60 may define an arc of approximately 180°. For example, theaxle support surface 62 may extend along an arc of approximately 180° atat least one end region 68 a. It is also contemplated, that the axlesupport surface 62 may extend along an arc of less than 180° in one ormore embodiments.

The axle interface portion 60 may receive the axle 32. When received inthe receptacle, the axle 32 may be secured to the trunnion bracket 30.For example, the axle 32 may be welded to the axle interface portion 60.Welding may be performed along one or more of the longitudinal edges 66,68 and the opposing radial edges 64. In at least one approach,longitudinal edge 66 is secured to the axle 32 at a height of the axle32 corresponding to the neutral axis of the axle 32. The opposing endregions 68 a of the longitudinal edge 68 may also be secured to the axle32 at a height of the axle 32 corresponding to the neutral axis of theaxle 32. As described, the axle interface portion 60 may define an arcof approximately 180°. In this way, the axle 32 may be welded to theaxle interface portion 60 at opposite longitudinal sides of the axle 32at heights corresponding to the neutral axis of the axle 32. Welds atlocations corresponding to the neutral axis of the axle 32 mayexperience reduced stresses when the axle 32 is subjected to bending ina vertical plane.

Referring to FIG. 5, the trunnion bracket 30 may define a cavity 90 thatmay extend through the axle interface portion 60. For example, interiorcavity walls 92 may extend from support surface 62 through the axleinterface portion 60, and to the arm interface portion 50. The interiorcavity walls 92 may engage a top outer surface of the arm interfaceportion 50 to define a cavity 90 having a continuous bottom wall 94 thatmay be separated from the bore 52. The cavity 90 may be empty to reducemanufacturing costs and weight. In at least another approach, discussedin greater detail below, one or more ribs may extend within the cavity90. In at least another approach, the cavity 90 may extend through thearm interface portion 50. For example, the trunnion bracket 30 may beformed without the continuous bottom wall 94 such that the interior ofthe arm interface portion 50 is exposed through the cavity 90 when thetrunnion bracket 30 is viewed from a top view.

The bracket interface portion 70 may extend from an exterior surface ofa wall 80 of the trunnion bracket 30. The bracket interface portion 70may extend beyond an end of the arm interface portion 50. For example,the bracket interface portion 70 may define a body 74 (e.g., a generallyrectangular body or body having a substantially rectangular crosssection) that may extend along a third central axis 70 a. The body 74may be sized to support a support bracket 34 on the bracket supportsurface 72. As shown in FIG. 5, the third central axis 70 a of thebracket interface portion 70 may extend substantially parallel to thefirst central axis 52 a of the bore 52 and may be disposed substantiallyorthogonal to the second central axis 60 a of the axle interface portion60.

In at least one approach, the bracket interface portion 70 may extendfrom the trunnion bracket 30 at the reduced height region 68 b of thelongitudinal edge 68. The bracket interface portion 70 may be disposedsuch that the bracket support surface 72 is aligned with or flush with asurface of the reduced height region 68 b of the longitudinal edge 68.In this way, the third central axis 70 a of the bracket interfaceportion 70 may be disposed above the first central axis 52 a of the bore52 of the arm interface portion 50 and below the second central axis 60a of the axle interface portion 60.

One or more support wings 76, 76′ may extend from the bracket interfaceportion 70. The support wings 76, 76′ may, for example, extend betweenthe body 74 of the bracket interface portion 70 and a wall 80 of theaxle interface portion 60. The support wings 76, 76′ may be disposed onopposite sides of the body 74 and may be mirror images of each other. Inaddition, the support wings 76, 76′ may extend at a downward angle fromthe body 74 and away from a longitudinal edge 68 and toward the forwardribs 82.

As shown in FIG. 5, the bracket interface portion 70 may be anasymmetrical bracket interface portion 70. For example, the asymmetricalbracket interface portion 70 may include a first support wing 76defining a first shape, and a second support wing 76′ disposed oppositethe body 74 from the first support wing 76 and defining a second shapedifferent than the that of the first support wing. The asymmetricalsupport wings may provide different weld locations on either side of thebody 74 of the bracket interface portion 70.

Referring to FIG. 4, the support bracket 34 may be secured to thetrunnion bracket 30 at the bracket interface portion 70. For example,the support bracket 34 may be welded to the bracket interface portion 70at the body 74 and/or at one or both of the support wings 76, 76′.

In at least one approach, the arm interface portion 50, the axleinterface portion 60, and the bracket interface portion 70 may be castor formed as a one-piece component without welding. In this way, thetrunnion bracket 30 may be a unitary, integrally formed trunnion bracket30. The unitary trunnion bracket may be substantially free of internalwelds between the axle interface portion 60 and the arm interfaceportion 50, and between the bracket interface portion 70 and the arminterface portion 50. A reduction in the number of welds may reduceassociated manufacturing time and/or costs. A reduction in the number ofwelds may also improve durability and reliability of the trunnionbracket as compared to a multi-piece design.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the trunnion bracket 30 may further includean axle lift interface portion 100. The axle lift interface portion 100may extend from the arm interface portion 50 (e.g., from the curvedexterior surface) in a direction opposite the axle interface portion 60.The axle lift interface portion 100 may include one or more wallsextending from the arm interface portion 50. For example, the axle liftinterface portion 100 may include two parallel and opposing sidewalls102 and a forward engagement wall 104 extending between the sidewalls102. In at least one approach, the forward engagement wall 104 has alength that may correspond to or be substantially the same as an outerdiameter of the hollow cylinder of the arm interface portion 50.

In at least one approach, the axle lift interface portion 100 may beintegrally formed with the axle interface portion 60 and the bracketinterface portion 70.

The axle lift interface portion 100 may be formed to interface with anaxle lift system of the vehicle 10 that may secure the axle assembly 28in a position where the tires of the axle assembly 28 are elevated abovea road or support surface. The axle lift system may include, forexample, an axle securing unit having a hook and an actuator. The axlelift interface portion 100 may be engaged by the hook to secure the axleassembly 28.

FIGS. 7-13 depict additional examples of a unitary trunnion bracket.

Referring to FIG. 7, a trunnion bracket 110 is shown that does not havean axle lift interface portion. The trunnion bracket 110 may include abracket interface portion 112 having symmetrical support wings 114. Thesupport wings 114 may extend along a longer length of the bracketinterface portion 112 as compared to the support wings 76, 76′ shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. The support wings 114 may also have longitudinal sideedges that extend at an angle relative to a central axis of the bracketinterface portion 112. The trunnion bracket 110 may also define a largercavity 116 as compared to the cavity 90 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Moreparticularly, the trunnion bracket 110 may define a cavity 116 disposedthrough a larger area of the support surface and having a greater volumeas compared to the cavity 90 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Referring to FIG. 8, a trunnion bracket 120 is shown that has a bracketinterface portion 122 having no support wings. The trunnion bracket 120may also define a larger cavity 124 as compared to the cavity 116 ofFIG. 7. More particularly, the trunnion bracket 120 may define a cavity124 that may extend between opposing ends of the arm interface portionand may have a greater volume as compared to the cavity 116 shown inFIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 9, a trunnion bracket 130 is shown that has a bracketinterface portion 132 having symmetrical support wings 134. Each supportwing 134 may extend away from the body at a substantially right angle.The trunnion bracket 130 may also define a larger cavity 136 as comparedto the cavity 116 of FIG. 7. More particularly, the trunnion bracket 130may define a cavity 136 having a greater volume as compared to thecavity 116 shown in FIG. 7. The trunnion bracket 130 may also define atleast one rib 138 extending within the cavity 136. In at least oneapproach, the rib 138 may extend within the cavity 136 between the arminterface portion and an interior cavity wall of the axle interfaceportion of the trunnion bracket 130.

Referring to FIG. 10, a trunnion bracket 140 may be provided with anaxle interface portion 142 having no cavity disposed therein.

Referring to FIG. 11, a trunnion bracket 150 may be provided with anaxle interface portion 152 that does not have a cavity, but has edgessimilar to FIGS. 4 and 5. The axle interface portion 152 may have alongitudinal edge 154 with end regions 154 a, two first reduced heightregions 154 b disposed between the end regions 154 a, and a secondreduced height region 154 c disposed between the first reduced heightregions 154 b. The bracket interface portion 156 may have a top surfacethat may be flush with the second reduced height region 154 c.

Referring to FIG. 12, a trunnion bracket 160 is shown that has a bracketinterface portion 162 having a height that extends above a top surface168 of the axle interface portion 164. The bracket interface portion 162may have an I-beam configuration that may include a first flange 162 ainterfacing the axle interface portion 164, a second flange 162 bdisposed above the top surface 168 of the axle interface portion 164,and a web 162 c extending between the first flange 162 a and the secondflange 162 b. The second flange 162 b may be provided to support aportion of a support bracket (e.g., the intermediate portion 36 b of theunitary support plate 36 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). In at least oneapproach, an aperture 166 may extend through the web 162 c. The aperture166 may be sized to receive a portion of a brake assembly, such as thecamshaft 42 shown in FIG. 2 or the cam shaft support bushing 46 shown inFIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 13, a trunnion bracket 170 may be provided with abracket interface portion 172 having a height that extends above a topsurface 178 of the axle interface portion 174. The bracket interfaceportion 172 may have a first body portion 172 a interfacing the axleinterface portion 174 and extending above the axle interface portion174, and a second body portion 172 b interfacing both the first bodyportion 172 a and the axle interface portion 174, and extending in adirection away from the axle interface portion 174. In at least oneapproach, the first body portion 172 a generally forms a quadrilateral,and the second body portion 172 b may generally form a triangle. Thefirst body portion 172 a may be provided with a first thickness, and thesecond body portion 172 b may be provided with a second thicknessdifferent than (e.g., less than or greater than) that of the first bodyportion 172 a. The first body portion 172 a may be provided to support aportion of a support bracket (e.g., an intermediate portion 36 b of theunitary support plate 36 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). The second bodyportion 172 b may be support to receive another portion of a supportbracket (e.g., a mounting portion 36 a of the unitary support plate 36shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). In at least one approach, an aperture 176 maybe disposed through the first body portion 172 a. The aperture 176 maybe sized to receive a portion of a brake assembly, such as the camshaft42 shown in FIG. 2 or the cam shaft support bushing 46 shown in FIG. 4.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather,the words used in the specification are words of description rather thanlimitation, and it is understood that various changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may becombined to form further embodiments of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An axle assembly comprising: a unitary trunnionbracket including: an arm interface portion defining a bore, the borehaving a first central axis extending therethrough, an axle interfaceportion having a second central axis extending substantially orthogonalto the first central axis, and a bracket interface portion extendingfrom the axle interface portion along a third central axis disposedparallel to and offset from the first central axis; an axle that engagesthe axle interface portion; and a support bracket that engages thebracket interface portion.
 2. The axle assembly of claim 1 wherein theunitary trunnion bracket is substantially free of welds between the arminterface portion and the axle interface portion, and is substantiallyfree of welds between the axle interface portion and the bracketinterface portion.
 3. The axle assembly of claim 1 wherein the bracketinterface portion defines a generally rectangular body extending alongthe third central axis, the generally rectangular body defining abracket support surface that supports the support bracket.
 4. The axleassembly of claim 3 wherein the bracket interface portion defines atleast one support wing extending between the generally rectangular bodyand a side wall of the axle interface portion.
 5. The axle assembly ofclaim 3 wherein the bracket interface portion has first and secondsupport wings that extend from opposite sides of the generallyrectangular body and from a side wall of the axle interface portion,wherein the first and second support wings extend at a downward anglefrom the generally rectangular body.
 6. The axle assembly of claim 1wherein the bracket interface portion extends above a top surface of theaxle interface portion.
 7. The axle assembly of claim 1 wherein the axleinterface portion includes interior cavity walls extending from asupport surface of the axle interface portion that engages the axle tothe arm interface portion to define a cavity having a continuous bottomwall.
 8. The axle assembly of claim 7 wherein the unitary trunnionbracket further comprises at least one rib extending within the cavitybetween the arm interface portion and an interior cavity wall of theaxle interface portion.
 9. The axle assembly of claim 1 wherein the axleinterface portion defines a longitudinal edge extending along alongitudinal length of the axle interface portion, the longitudinal edgehaving opposing end regions and a reduced height region extendingbetween the opposing end regions, wherein the bracket interface portionextends from the reduced height region.
 10. The axle assembly of claim 9wherein the axle interface portion extends along an arc of approximately180°.
 11. The axle assembly of claim 1 wherein the unitary trunnionbracket further comprises a side rib that extends along an exterior wallof the unitary trunnion bracket from the arm interface portion to theaxle interface portion.
 12. The axle assembly of claim 11 wherein theunitary trunnion bracket further comprises a pair of rear ribs thatextends along an exterior wall of the unitary trunnion bracket from thearm interface portion to the axle interface portion and are disposed onopposite sides of the bracket interface portion.
 13. The axle assemblyof claim 12 further comprising at least one rib that is disposed in acavity of the axle interface portion and that extends from a bottomsurface of the cavity.
 14. The axle assembly of claim 1 wherein the arminterface portion defines a hollow cylinder, and wherein an exteriorsurface of the hollow cylinder defines a curved exterior surface. 15.The axle assembly of claim 14 wherein the unitary trunnion bracketfurther comprises an axle lift interface portion extending from thecurved exterior surface, the axle lift interface portion having aforward engagement wall disposed substantially perpendicular to thefirst central axis.
 16. The axle assembly of claim 15 wherein the axlelift interface portion further comprises opposing sidewalls extendingfrom opposite ends of the axle lift interface portion and from thecurved exterior surface.
 17. The axle assembly of claim 1 wherein thesupport bracket includes a unitary support plate having a mountingportion disposed on the bracket interface portion, an intermediateportion extending from the mounting portion, and an attachment portionextending from the intermediate portion that is disposed on the axle.18. The axle assembly of claim 17 wherein the mounting portion isdisposed in a first plane, the intermediate portion is disposed in asecond plane that is disposed at a non-zero angle with respect to thefirst plane, and the attachment portion is at least partially disposedin a third plane that is disposed at a non-zero angle with the secondplane.
 19. The axle assembly of claim 17 wherein the attachment portionhas a first region extending in the second plane and a second regionextending in the third plane.
 20. The axle assembly of claim 17 whereinthe attachment portion is wider than the intermediate portion.